Article Text
Taste of Vienna will return Saturday, April 25, with dozens of food vendors, live music and a chocolate cake-eating contest—all while raising money for the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.
The 13th annual festival will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the department’s parking lot at 400 Center Street South. The event will be held rain or shine, with rain currently possible in the forecast.
About 8,000 people attended last year, according to organizer and fire department volunteer Lauren Stancampiano. She and her husband, fellow volunteer Anthony Stancampiano, have organized the festival for 15 years. The event paused in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scheduled for late April, the festival is intended to bring residents back together after the colder months. Organizers said it has continued to grow since breaking even in its first year.
Proceeds help the volunteer fire department maintain its station and purchase vehicles, including fire engines and ambulances. The department typically buys a new engine for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department career personnel about every five years. A new engine now costs between $1.2 million and $1.4 million and takes roughly three years to build.
This year’s sold-out vendor lineup includes 31 food stalls, 10 food trucks and a beer and wine tent staffed by volunteers recruited through event sponsor Vienna Business Association. Participating restaurants were encouraged to sell tasting portions so visitors can sample more of the available food.
Cake contest returns with major prizes
Carnegie Diner and Cafe will bring back its OMG Chocolate Cake-Eating Contest after introducing the competition at the 2025 festival.
Beginning at 2:10 p.m. on the main stage, eight to 10 contestants will race to finish a slice of the diner’s signature 24-layer chocolate cake.
The winner will receive $500 in cash, a T-shirt and a $1,000 Carnegie gift card. Second and third place come with T-shirts and gift cards worth $350 and $150, respectively. Every contestant will receive an event T-shirt and a $100 gift card.
Carnegie Diner has operated at 501 Maple Avenue West since June 2024.
Five bands scheduled throughout the day
Live performances will begin when the festival opens and continue into the evening:
- 11 a.m.: Five Leaf Clovers
- 12:45 p.m.: Surfabilly Vibe
- 3:05 p.m.: (After)Math
- 4:50 p.m.: Orbiting Zero
- 6 p.m.: The Coozies
Vienna VFD volunteer Lydia Russo, founder of the food-insecurity nonprofit One Neighborhood Foundation, said the proceeds will directly support the department and help keep the station prepared to serve the community.